Red-necked Phalaropes

To me, the genus Phalaropus is something extraordinary, within the already extraordinarily charismatic group of waders. Of the two species of Phalaropes occuring in Europe, only
Red-necked Phalarope (Phalaropus lobatus) breeds outside Iceland. Phalaropes are among the few sexually dimorphistic European bird species, with "more beautiful" females than males. The
female's plumage is more contrasty and more intensively colored and they also behave a little macho-like compared to the quiet males.

On the recent trip to arctic Norway, I had the chance to spend some time with these astonishing creatures after work and to take some pictures in the never-setting midnight sun. The task was
extremely difficult in the low light conditions with a monopod, 500mm lens and the Nikon D800's mediocre high ISO performance. I left the right gear (which would have been a tripod and the
70-200mm lens for this confiding species) at home, as I didn't expect too much time for photography on this trip.

I still managed to get some decent shots - enough to please me at least.